Photorefractivity in crosslinked polymer-stabilized nematic liquid crystals

The observation of photorefractive gratings in new crosslinked polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLCs) is discussed and compared to previous PSLCs. The PSLCs easily incorporate reduced or oxidized molecules that are present in a nematic liquid crystal at a concentration of 2 mol%. The PSLCs that are crosslinked provide improved photorefractive grating resolution, due to their improved functionality as an immobile electron trap. These materials are capable of functioning well into the Bragg diffraction regime. Photoconductivity experiments that support the photorefractive mechanism and a different charge transport mechanism than neat liquid crystals are also performed.